News

Aug 06, 2023

Get It Growing: Gas

Mowing lawns has changed a lot over the years. Perhaps mowing started with the goat, then to the scythe, reel mowers in the 1830s, rotary push mowers in the 1940s, and on to today’s modern mowers.

Mowing lawns has changed a lot over the years. Perhaps mowing started with the goat, then to the scythe, reel mowers in the 1830s, rotary push mowers in the 1940s, and on to today’s modern mowers.

Recently, more and more homeowners have been switching from the conventional gas-powered lawn mowers to electric ones. But at the same time, millions of gas mowers are still being sold each year.

Should you switch to an electric mower or stick with a gas mower? Examining the pros and cons of each type may help make a more informed decision.

It is easy to see why gas-powered mowers are such a popular choice. Perhaps their biggest advantage is sheer power. The horsepower of most gas mowers is often twice that of a similarly sized electric-powered machine. This robust power is better suited for tackling larger yards. Gas mowers maintain better cutting performance in wetter, longer, and thicker grass.

Another advantage is long-term durability. Gas mowers are often built tougher and their replacement parts are usually less expensive. A little gas also goes a long way and there is no need to wait for a battery to charge or wrestle with extension cords. The sticker price of gas mowers is often less than cordless electric mowers.

On the other hand …

There are cons to gas-powered mowers. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), one hour operating a new gasoline lawn mower emits the same amount of air pollution as driving a new car for 45 miles!

Gas mowers require more maintenance tasks, like changing the oil, air filter, and spark plug. Gasoline is highly flammable and requires proper storage.

Gas mowers are also considerably louder than electric mowers. Gas mowers are about 50 percent heavier than electric ones and therefore more difficult to maneuver.

Although greater power and run-time certainly favor gas-powered mowers, noise and environmental factors favor electric. Gas mowers are as loud as the sound of a motorcycle running.

Electric mowers run about 20 decibels quieter. That is similar to the sound of a washing machine running.

There are essentially little to no direct emissions caused by electric mowers; however, the mining of lithium used in batteries often involves significant water pollution. Overall, that is a clear advantage for electric mowers.

A battery-powered lawn mower is so convenient; just pop in your charged battery and go mow! There’s no oil or gas to mess with, no choking, no pull starting and no winterizing.

Batteries will eventually need to be replaced and have a limited run time of generally less than an hour. Self-propelled electric mowers reduce battery run time by one-third compared to push electric mowers.

Electric mowers generally do well on a single charge for yards smaller than one-third of an acre.

Fortunately, improvements in technology continue to extend the lifespan and run times of batteries. Even the cost of batteries continues to decrease.

All things considered, battery mowers are easier to start, store, maneuver and maintain.

Certain brands have batteries compatible with other electric-powered equipment. That allows you to operate the lawn mower, leaf blower, and weed whacker with the same battery.

In those situations, homeowners often have more than one battery. When one battery needs recharging, simply put it in the charger and pop in another battery to continue mowing.

Some homeowners favor corded electric mowers. These have all the benefits of going electric without the downside of using a battery. Corded mowers are the least expensive option of these types of mowers.

The long extension cord can be challenging to manage at times. Cords make it difficult to maneuver around trees and planting beds. Running over a cord could be potentially very dangerous.

The bottom line: the mower you use depends on your unique situation and goals.

Happy mowing … and don’t forget hearing and eye protection.

Explore more about lawn care at extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/lawn.

Another option …

One more option to ponder! Some homeowners reduce the size of their lawn or completely get rid of it. Instead, they plant native grasses and wild flowers to attract pollinating bees and butterflies. Less lawn means less equipment use, which results in less air pollution.

A smaller lawn may reduce your water usage too. About a third of residential water use is for the lawn and garden.

This is the second article in a series on lawn care that will be published in the Sequim Gazette this year. Look for the next article about lawns in a changing climate.

Dave Eberle is a Clallam County Master Gardener intern.